On tiebreaking emotions, leaving home

This week's quotes represent the transition of the season

Here are some of the notable quotes from around Major League Baseball this week:

"It's emotionally draining. It's one of those things that, when you're a little kid, this is what you dream of. We got to do it in a game like that. Not a lot of guys, not a lot of teams get to be in a position like that. It was awesome."

-Nick Punto, describing the ups and downs of the Twins' 6-5, 12-inning win in their divisional playoff game against the Detroit Tigers.
(MLB.com)

"Of course not, because, you know, you were born there, you have your family, all your people, your friends. That's what makes it a little difficult not to look back. Although you don't want to remember, you do."

-Kendry Morales, who successfully escaped Cuba on his 12th try and landed in the Florida Keys.
(Los Angeles Times)

"Stuff kept dropping. It was hittin' me. I was wonderin' what the hell it was. Sure enough, the roof was leaking."

-Doug Brocail after he and teammates Chad Paronto and Chris Johnson were taken from the team hotel in Manhattan to the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx instead of the new Citi Field in Queens by their taxi driver.
(Houston Chronicle)

"Being the defending world champs, I think it's kind of a little weird that we kind of get both games at 2:00. I don't think it's fair. I definitely don't think it's fair for the fans because this is all about the home-field advantage or just baseball in general."

- Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels is not a fan of afternoon start times in the postseason.
(MLB.com)

"That's something he by no means had to do, and I appreciated it. I thought [my year] went pretty well. I want to get my defense back next year to where I expect it to be at. Other than that, I feel like I had a solid year."

-Casey McGehee, giving thanks to manager Ken Macha after he pulled McGehee early from Sunday's season finale to preserve his .301 batting average. McGehee also finished with 16 home runs and 66 RBIs. The latter led all Major League rookies.
(MLB.com)

"All you want to do is perform to the best of your ability. It means a lot that my teammates believe in me, and if they want me to protect a three-run lead instead of a one-run lead, I am fine with that."

"Once you start warming up, it gets back to being a routine. It's like a comfort zone when you get out there on the mound. That's where I feel comfortable. Sitting in the clubhouse and waiting until it's time to get going -- that's the hardest part."

"This is what it's all about. This is why I do what I do. I work hard to get back and have the chance to play. This opportunity -- this is a good team that we're about to face. But if you don't want to pitch in this situation, you need to go home. This is where it's all about. I'm excited about it. I'm glad that I get the opportunity."

"We're going to keep playing the way we're doing now. We have [won] 17 games out of 21. We're going to keep doing it."

-Alexi Casilla, after the Twins won their tiebreaker to advance to a division series against the Yankees.
(MLB.com)

"We came in a tough place and played 12 innings and played our hearts out. I know it wasn't enough, but this organization -- we're going in the right direction -- especially when you've got a 20-year-old kid who grew up in front of everyone's eyes today."

-Gerald Laird, referencing rookie pitcher Rick Porcello after the Tigers lost the tiebreaker to the Twins.
(MLB.com)

"I had one bad start against Arizona, but once I got the feeling I wasn't going anywhere, I settled down and was able to work on my pitching. After that start against Arizona, I was back out there two days later giving them four innings. I'll do whatever I can do to help the team -- they should know by now. Coming out of the pen and being a long man, or hopefully someone who can stick in the rotation and give them a chance to win every five days -- I can do it."

- Veteran Nelson Figueroa, commenting on what he will do to stick with the Mets in 2010 after throwing his first big league shutout on Sunday against the Houston Astros.
(New York Daily News)

"We were joking that our September call-ups came up in July and August. Everybody they wanted here was already here -- had been for months."

"Obviously, if someone would have told me in the first couple of the weeks when I was in the bullpen that, at the end of the year, I'd have 17 wins, I'd be pretty excited. I wish I could have ended up a little bit stronger, not [like] the last few starts. Overall, it was a good season and something good to build off for next year, knowing I've got a good foundation to work on and try to improve."

-Scott Feldman, who began the season in the Rangers bullpen and went on to post a 17-8 record with a 4.08 ERA.
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

"I'm not going to play GM. I'm just going to give you my opinion on it -- Javier Vazquez needs to be on this team next year. I think we'd all be disappointed if he wasn't."

"I'm trying to play it real casual, like I've done it before. Because, depending on how you look at it, I kind of have. I was joking around about it earlier. I've been out on the line, had my name called out -- it was postseason. It was a championship -- state championship. So, depending on how you look at it, I've kind of been here before."

-Brendan Ryan, Cardinals shortstop, who played in a high school championship baseball game at Dodger Stadium.
( MLB.com)

"I know I was struggling, but I wasn't looking on the computer to see what they were hitting. I don't think I did it myself. Everybody gave me little tips. I dedicate it for everybody in here."

"He's leading the club in RBIs and runs scored -- those are the two most important categories for an offensive player. And he's played Gold Glove third base. Ryan's had a really good year in all the categories."

"If there's a positive that's come out of this for Bobby, it's that he's showed the ability to play multiple positions, which at some point later in his career could help him. And under less-than-ideal circumstances this year, he handled himself well."

"We knew Franklin was going to be a good defensive player, and we also thought that he would be an offensive contributor. Everyone was pleased with how consistent he was throughout the year. And offensively, he continued to get better. We all thought he was going to be really good, and, when you get to see it with your own eyes day in and day out, you get to appreciate the product first hand. He has certainly lived up to all our expectations. At the end of the day, you have a superb defensive player playing in the middle of the diamond who hit 18 homers."

- Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik on the development of Franklin Gutierrez.
(Seattle Times)

"Rio? That sucks. I've been to a lot of cities, and Chicago is the best."

-Jeff Samardzija, Cubs pitcher, who would have preferred that Chicago land the 2016 Olympics instead of Rio de Janeiro.
(Chicago Sun-Times)

"I feel pretty confident all around that I have been able to sort of hold my own up here. But at the same time, I think every aspect needs improvement, from catching to throwing to blocking to hitting. I think everything is always going to need improvement. But all around, I feel like I have had a pretty successful year."

-Matt Wieters, the Orioles rookie catcher on how he fared in his first season.
(Baltimore Sun)

"A failed opportunity. If you don't go to the postseason, it doesn't matter for what reason, it's a non-successful season. It's tough to compare them all. They have all been under different circumstances, but this has been tough."